Keep Me Safe

by Raquel Lyon

  “Then I’ll bring my iPad round to yours, later, and I’ll show you.”

  “I have plans.”

  “Seeing Rick again?”

  “Yes.”

  “I guess that’s why you’re never at home, nowadays. Do you know how many times I’ve popped round to see you, in the last couple of weeks, and found your room in darkness? It’s a good job I heard on the grapevine about you and Rick, or I would have had to put out a missing person advertisement, seeing as you never answer your phone.”

  “That’s because I forgot to pack my charger when I moved out,” Molly said, as the group of customers closed in on the counter. “The battery’s dead.”

  “What do you mean moved out?” Yvonne’s decibels rose.

  “I had an argument with my dad,” she mumbled, casting a sideways glance at the approaching women.

  “Since when? Why didn’t you tell me? Where are you living, now?”

  “Shh. Look, I’m sorry. I really can’t talk now. I have to work. I’ll speak to you later,” she said, before smiling at the first old woman as she decanted her purchases from a basket.

  Yvonne’s hands planted firmly on her hips. “What on? The jungle drums?”

  “There’s this thing called a pay phone. You put your money in the slot and speak through a wire. It’s genius,” she whispered out of the corner of her mouth, before raising her voice and giving the old woman her full attention. “That’ll be fifteen forty-three, madam.”

  “Yeah, well, see that you do,” Yvonne said, turning to leave, “and make it soon.”

  Molly watched her walk out, as she handed the woman her change.

  Her visit was almost a week ago. She’d known Yvonne would find her, eventually, and she’d been trying to come up with a plausible story, but, so far, she was struggling to think of one. Maybe Kendrick could help her brainstorm later, if he wasn’t too tired from messing with his new car.

  He’d been working all the hours he could get and had finally pooled enough money together to buy the old Fiesta from Liam. After giving it a new identity with a bright-green paint job, and fitting a new engine, he was souping it up whenever he could spare the cash. She hoped it would be a long time. She didn’t like the idea of him racing, and had told him as much.

  Johnny had a lot to answer for. He’d planted a seed in Kendrick’s brain about running his own business, and Kendrick insisted racing was the only way he’d ever get enough money together to make that dream a reality, but she had a bad feeling about it. Kendrick was the one good thing in her life and she wanted to hang on to it. Why did he have to risk his life shooting a hunk of metal along the tarmac? Why couldn’t he just go to the bank and get a loan, like any normal person?

  She also hated the thought of returning to the meets. Chris was bound to be there, and she’d been trying to postpone that particular run-in for as long as possible, preferably forever. So far, she’d succeeded. A few days after his last attempt at asking her out, she’d spotted him approaching the store door, and she’d fled into the back room, telling Frank she had a stomach upset and asking him could he please serve whilst she visited the toilet? Her plan had worked, that time, and thankfully, Chris hadn’t been back. With a bit of luck, he’d also heard the grapevine and given up his pursuit, but she’d rather not test that theory.

  After work, Kendrick came to see her at the flat, as usual, but straight away, she could see there was something troubling him. Without kissing her hello, he walked to the window and stared out over the glittering skyline of the darkened town, deep in thought.

  “You’re unusually pensive,” she said. “Is everything okay?”

  After a long pause, he turned to face her. “The old man croaked it.”

  Molly’s jaw dropped. Had she heard him right? “Say that again.”

  “Paps. He’s dead.”

  “Oh, God. I’m so sorry. How?”

  “Dunno, yet. Johnny found him. They were removing his body when I got home from work.”

  “How awful. I-I never got the chance to really know him, but he seemed like a sweet old man.”

  Kendrick ruffled his hair, as if to bring his mind back to the room, and sat on the sofa. She wondered if she should comfort him. He’d always been so sure of himself, so strong, but surely, no one could stay strong after the death of a loved one, and he had lost more than most.

  “How are you feeling?” she asked, sitting next to him and laying a hand on his knee.

  He stared at it as he spoke. “I figure, a lot like you, when you upped sticks and left home.”

  How the hell did that compare to your grandfather dying? “I’m sorry?”

  “Homeless. Now Pappa’s gone, I’ve no family left, so I don’t have a guardian, and I’ll probably be carted off to some kid’s home.”

  “You’re not a child.”

  “I’m not eighteen yet, either.”

  “You don’t have to be eighteen to live on your own. Besides, you’re not alone. You have Johnny. He’ll see you right,” she babbled.

  “Yeah, maybe. Still might be homeless, though. Got any room for me here?”

  “What… live together?” she said, struggling to disguise the shock in her voice. “Wow. That’s kind of heavy.”

  “What’s the problem? I’m always here anyway.”

  “I know, but live together? That’s so… so permanent.”

  “Just say if you don’t want me here.”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “I thought we were solid.”

  “We are.”

  “But you don’t love me.”

  “This isn’t about love.”

  He turned to her and clasped her hands in his. “Then what is it about? I love you, Moll, and I can’t imagine loving anyone else. I realise we’ve only been together a few weeks, but sometimes you just know, and you and me, we have something good. I want us to be together for the rest of our lives. Okay, I’ve sprung this on you. I know. But you can’t always choose what life throws at you, and who knows how long it’s gonna last? Life’s short, Moll. Don’t you wanna live it?”

  “I-I just think it’s a bit soon. Look. Let’s just see what happens, eh?”

  His head fell, and after a second, he dropped her hands and jumped up. “I guess I’ll see you later, then.”

  “But you only just got here,” she exclaimed in surprise. “Where are you going? I thought you were staying the night?”

  “I’ve got some business to see to.”

  “What business?”

  “Gotta see a man about a race.”

  “A race? Shit. You’re going to the meet, aren’t you? Please say you’re not entered tonight.”

  “No. Not tonight, but the car’s ready, and after next payday, I’ll have the funds for the stake. I’m going to see if I can get a slot at the next meet.”

  “And you were going to go without me?”

  “I know it’s not your thing, babe.”

  “You’re right. It’s not, but there’s no way you’re going alone,” she said, grabbing her jacket and following him out of the door.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Kendrick

  Air thickened by the smoke spinning from the wheels of cars in the burnout area almost masked the spray-painted start line. Passing through the brightly coloured cones and road-closed signs, Kendrick steered Molly along the strip to where two cars were readying to race.

  “Isn’t that Liam?” she asked.

  “Yeah, showing off, as usual.” He chuckled to himself. Liam was revving the tits off his Honda, trying to get the edge on the Astra at his side, but it was all for show. With Liam’s massive torque, the Astra stood no chance.

  With a deafening squeal, the cars set off, and Liam left the Astra for dust. Kendrick didn’t need to see them cross the finish line. The result was a foregone conclusion.

  A pink head of curls bounced up beside them. “Wotcha, strangers. What brings you here?”

  “Hiya,” Molly said.

  “Y
vonne.” Kendrick nodded, glancing down at the pink leggings making her legs look like sausages about to burst out of their skin.

  “I’ve been meaning to pick a bone with you, Rick,” Yvonne said.

  “Oh, yeah?”

  “Yeah. You’ve been commandeering my bestie, and I’m here to tell you it’s not on. You can’t keep her all to yourself. A girl can’t live on sex alone, you know.”

  “Yvonne!” Molly gasped.

  “Aw, come on. You guys have been an item for weeks. Don’t tell me you haven’t finally done the dirty deed, and seeing as I’ve yet to receive that phone call, I say now is a good time for you to stump up all the juicy details.” She hooked her arm through Molly’s and coaxed her away. “But first, I want the lowdown on that argument with your dad. It must have been a doozy for you to move out. I’m bummed I haven’t bagged an invite to your new place, by the way. So when are you going to spare some time for your old mate?” Yvonne’s voice faded as they disappeared into the crowd, where Liam was doing his victory run.

  Kendrick left the girls to it and entered the garage to wait for him. Five minutes later, he walked in.

  “Hey, bud. Did you catch the race? Stuffed him by nearly two seconds.”

  “And you’re surprised?”

  “Nah, not really.” Liam laughed, and then frowned. “I thought you were staying clear of here, ‘til the heat’s off?”

  “It’s never gonna be off until I show that dickhead up for the prick he is.”

  “And you plan to do that, how?”

  “I’m gonna race him.”

  “Not yet I hope. You’re not ready,” Liam said, holding out an open packet of cigarettes.

  Kendrick held up his hand to decline the offer. Molly preferred it when he didn’t stink of stale smoke, and he was determined to kick the habit. “I was born ready.”

  “Well, Sprout’s not ready. She’s a barn find, mate. Good for the small stuff, but not enough horses under the hood to take him on.”

  “I don’t need power. Just this.” He tapped a finger to his temple. “Did you run the diagnostics?”

  “Yeah, yeah. She’s all good… for the small stuff, but you need more experience.”

  “I know what I’m doing. Set it up.”

  “You’re off your head, mate. Think of Molly.”

  “Who do you think I’m doing this for?”

  Kendrick followed Liam outside, stopping yards from where Barbie was entertaining a group of girls, with his face lit up by flames flickering up from an old oil barrel.

  Clearly under the influence of a six-beer wobble, Barbie took a slug of number seven, as Liam tapped him on the shoulder and whispered in his ear. He glanced over to where Kendrick stood and smashed the bottle onto the tarmac. The girls scattered like oil on water, as his finger jabbed towards Kendrick, and Liam had to hold him back.

  Kendrick cocked his chin in defiance. He wasn’t afraid of Barbie’s hardman act. If it came to it, he would fight him, but he was sick of Barbie making out he was king of the track, and he had a point to prove. As he turned, intending to find Molly and head off home, Liam jogged up beside him. “All set?” Kendrick asked.

  “He’s quite eager for the prospect. Said to tell you, you’re dead meat and your girl had better be looking forward to tasting his dick.”

  “Fucking psycho.” Kendrick spun back and lurched forwards, but Liam jumped in front of him.

  “Easy, mate. Save your energy for the race.”

  Kendrick sucked a long breath through his nose, trying to compose himself. Patience. Not much longer. “He’s gonna get it.”

  “If you say so, mate,” Liam said, slapping him on the shoulder. “Well, I’ve done my bit, so I guess I’ll catch you later.” He tipped his hand and walked away, leaving Kendrick to return to his search.

  Pressing through the crowd, he craned his neck to see around far too many drunken fools. Where the fuck had Molly got to? She was the one who hated this scene, and now, she was the one keeping them here. After the day he’d had, all he wanted was to get home and relieve some of his pent-up irritation, but he wouldn’t be doing that without a girlfriend. He had to find her.

  Changing direction for the umpteenth time, he finally spotted Yvonne’s bright hair through a gap in the bodies, and took a step towards it.

  A hand gripped his arm.

  “Hey there, lover. You’re looking a little tense. Anything I can help you with?” Kendrick softened at the sound of Lexi’s voice. “You know you can always count on me to ease your frustrations,” she said.

  “Might be a bit out of your league, this time, Lex.”

  She pressed her chest up against him and stroked a hand down his crotch. “You sure about that?”

  “This fuck machine’s closed for business,” he said, removing her hand.

  “That’s a shame.” She was giving him that sexy, sideways stare she knew he found hard to resist, but it wasn’t going to work with him anymore. She’d have to find some other man to get her kicks with, from now on. In fact…

  “Come to think of it, maybe you can help me out. How certain are you of your charms?”

  “You really need to ask? What have you got in mind?”

  “A little distraction tactic.”

  “Go on.”

  “You know Barbie, right?”

  “Who doesn’t?”

  “How do you fancy giving him a little treat to look forward to, while I’m racing him at the next meet?”

  She narrowed her eyes and squinted down her nose at him. “What are you up to?”

  “I’d rather his mind wasn’t on the race, if you know what I mean. Are you up for it, or not?”

  “I’m sure I can come up with something for you, Ricky-Boy. Just don’t forget me when you tire of Miss Prissy-Pants.”

  “No chance of that, babe.”

  “Speaking of which…” she said, her eyes directing him to where Molly stood giggling with Yvonne.

  His fury flooded back. They weren’t the only ones to notice her. Barbie had honed in on his target and was pushing through the crowd.

  “You sure there isn’t another reason you need my services… like trying to keep his eyes off your new girl?”

  “That too.” He kissed Lexi’s cheek. “I gotta go.”

  It didn’t matter what his reasons were; they amounted to the same thing. The promise of a night with Lexi was enough to put any guy off his game—a small detail, but he’d take any help he could get—and as long as she followed through with the agreement, he stood to win both ways.

  Barbie reached Molly before he did.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Molly

  Considering her dislike of her location, Molly was unusually cheerful—right up until the moment her eyes fixed on Kendrick and the girl she recognised from the night of the store robbery. A twinge of jealousy prodded her heart. What the fuck was going on? The girl had her hands all over him, as if she had the God-given right to touch him in such an intimate manner. Didn’t she know he was spoken for now? Her lips pressed to a thin line, as the couple exchanged a joke. Why was he even giving her the time of day?

  “Looks like someone’s back to his old habits,” Yvonne said, digging an elbow into her ribs. “I hope you’re not too cut up.”

  Angry tears pooled in Molly’s eyes, but she blinked them away, determined not to consider Yvonne’s rash assessment might be a possibility. Kendrick wouldn’t do that to her, would he? “I’m sure they’re just friends.”

  “If you say so, but I’d hold off on telling him your news, just in case,” Yvonne said, glancing over Molly’s shoulder. “Hey, don’t look now, but I think we’ve got trouble.”

  A sweet scent permeated the air around her.

  “Hello, gorgeous. You’ve been avoiding me,” Barbie said, appearing at her side. The predatory glimmer in his eyes made Molly feel as if he was mentally dispensing her of her clothes. She shuddered.

  “What if I have?”

  “You can’t ho
ld out on me forever. I’m only asking for a roll in the sack, not a lifetime commitment.”

  What a jerk! “Oh. I’m sorry. You should have said. That makes the prospect so much more appealing.”

  “You owe me.”

  “I owe you nothing.”

  “That cash I gave you was worth more than a quick fumble.”

  “You’ve been smoking too much wacky baccy,” she said, wondering if she could get high from the fumes radiating from his body. “If that’s what all this is about, you can have it back, next payday.”

  In the corner of her vision, Yvonne reached inside her denim jacket. “He can have it now,” she said, shoving a handful of notes into his chest. “Now fuck off. She has a boyfriend.”

  Clutching the money, Barbie stumbled back a step with the force from Yvonne’s fist. “So I hear,” he snarled. “Has he screwed you yet? Has he rammed his cock into your tight little pussy? Huh?”

  Heated blood rushed to Molly’s cheeks. How dare he? “That’s none of your business.”

  “Ah. So he has. I bet you enjoyed it too, didn’t you? I bet underneath that prim exterior you’re one hot momma.”

  “Give it a rest, Chris. I am not interested in you.” Her eyes flicked to Kendrick closing in, his face filled with fury.

  “We’ll see. You’ll change your mind, when that hunk of junk, your boyfriend plans to race me in, becomes his metal coffin.”

  Molly opened her mouth, but her reply stuck in her throat. She had had no idea racing Barbie was what Kendrick had come here to set up.

  “I see he hasn’t told you,” he said with a smug smile of satisfaction.

  Forcing his way between them, Kendrick jabbed his fingers into Barbie’s chest. “Finished harassing my girlfriend, cockshit?”

  “He was just leaving,” Yvonne said.

  Barbie faced up to Kendrick, and their eyes locked. “This isn’t over. You’ll see… I’ll finish you,” Barbie said.

  “Dream on.” Kendrick scowled. “Now, you heard her, do one.”

  With one last sneer, Barbie turned on his heels and stormed off, but his absence did nothing to appease Molly’s anger.

  “Just tell me why?” she asked Kendrick.